The Premier League title might’ve slipped away from Arsenal, but they will want to finish the season on a high as they make a trip to Nottingham Forest.
If Arsenal lose, league leaders Manchester City will be crowned champions before their match against Chelsea on Sunday. An Arsenal win though means Manchester City will have to first beat Chelsea for them to retain the trophy.
Due to Nottingham Forest’s decades-long absence from the Premier League, the two teams last faced in the league at City Ground in 1999 and Arsenal came out victorious.
The last time Nottingham beat Arsenal at home in the Premier League was in 1996 but they have beaten them in the FA Cup third round in 2018 and 2022.
Forest need the three points to help them survive relegation but this match won’t be a walkover and manager Steve Cooper knows it. While talking to the media about this fixture, Cooper said there is so much at stake and they are coming up against a top team.
“We have to just focus on Arsenal and not think anything beyond what it takes to do well in the game. It will be a great atmosphere and there’s so much at stake, but there’s still a game to play.
“If we’re thinking about what ifs and other things beyond being at our best on Saturday then we won’t be at our best, and that’s something we cannot let happen. The attitude and atmosphere in training has been very good and motivated, I never have any complaints with that. There’s a real focus on doing well on Saturday.
“I expect to come up against a team that has quite rightly been at the top of the Premier League for most of the season. We’re coming up against a top, top team,” Cooper said.
Team news
Gustavo Scarpa is unavailable for Nottingham Forest due to a calf problem. The good news is that Emanuel Dennis and Danilo could be available.
For Arsenal, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Martinelli are out for the rest of the season. The same could be true for William Saliba. Other players are available.
